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Circulating endothelial cells: a disease activity marker in Behçet's vasculitis?
Sim Kutlay1, Reyhan Calayoglu, Ayse Boyvat
1Department of Nephrology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. skutlay@hotmail.com
Insights
Behçet's disease patients show significantly higher circulating endothelial cells (CECs) compared to healthy individuals. Elevated CECs correlate with active Behçet's disease, suggesting a role in disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Endothelial injury is linked to increased circulating endothelial cells (CECs).
- Behçet's disease is a vasculitis associated with endothelial damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify CECs in Behçet's disease patients.
- To investigate the association between CEC levels and disease activity in Behçet's disease.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood samples from 45 Behçet's patients and 15 controls were analyzed.
- Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) were isolated using anti-CD146 antibody and immunomagnetic beads.
- CECs were identified and counted after UEA-1 staining.
Main Results:
- Behçet's patients exhibited significantly elevated CEC counts (mean 50 cells/mL) compared to controls (mean 9 cells/mL).
- CEC levels were higher during active Behçet's disease compared to inactive periods.
- Statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference in CEC counts between patients and controls (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Patients with Behçet's disease have increased circulating endothelial cells.
- Elevated CECs in Behçet's disease patients may indicate active endothelial inflammation.
- Further research is warranted to explore the prognostic value of CECs in Behçet's vasculitis.
Abstract:
Increased numbers of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) have previously been reported after various diseases associated with endothelial injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CECs in patients with Behçet's disease and to demonstrate a possible association between CECs and disease activity. Sixty individuals (45 Behçet's disease patients and 15 healthy controls) with normal renal function are included in the study. Peripheral blood samples are first incubated with antiCD146 antibody and subsequently conjugated to immunomagnetic beads to isolate CECs. Cells are stained with UEA-1 before counting. Behçet's patients [7-135 cells/mL, mean 50 cells/mL, median 43 cells/mL (SD 35), P<0.001] have elevated numbers of CECs compared to controls [3-14 cells/mL, mean 9 cells/mL, median 8 cells/mL (SD 4)]. The number of CECs is higher in the active period of the disease compared to the inactive period. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the potential prognostic importance of CECs in Behçet's vasculitis.
